Just picked up a FE390 from my buddy. Came out of a 73 ford 4x4 towtruck. I want to install this in my 78F25. I will also post this in the engine swap forum, just have some questions about durabilty. I want to use the truck for plowing and pulling so I think the 390 will work well. Just may have questions when the puild is going on thanks.

Scott

 

Welcome to FEs. You do realize you will need a tranny for this swap too, right? No transmission that came on a '78 will match up. The 390 is a workhorse with lots of torque, should do well with your application.

 

Also, if it was the original engine in a 4x4, it is a 360, as no 390s were installed in 4x4s....

What engine is in the '78?

 

the engine in he 78 was a 460 swapped for the 400 guy kept the engine, he has about 10 trucks 4x4's and 2wd, plust 20 engines all 360 390 351M400'S the wrecker had a 390 swapped into it, still working the deal on the engine and all parts to complete the swap along with the ford factory flatbed off his 67 250 2dw

 

the transs a 4 speed so the bellhousing is the only change to ge the trans hooked up correct?

 

Yes, a FE truck bell is what you want.

So there is no engine in the '78--it started as a 400, was a 460 but nothing now...?

Instead of working a deal on this 390, why not just find a 460? Less stuff to change, more power right out of the gate....just a thought.

 

I dont know but the 400 was long gone, the 460 stayed with the owner that sold the truck 15 years ago befor it went into storage. I wold need to see what years would fit and I dont have a 460 4x4 pan

 

Sorry to butt in but I am new to FE as well and was looking aroung this forum. I am pulling a FE out of my project It was mated to a 4 speed which I am keeping for the re-build and have a manual trans bellhousing. I'm not putting an FE engine back in, I'm trying to find info on the FE I have, I want to sell it but want to be able to tell people what it is. I found a 352 stamped on the front but is there anything else I need to know?

 

Get the date code off the block, looking from underneath its just below where the oil filter goes, it starts with a number and looks like 7A19 or something like that. Also get the casting code off the heads, its inbetween the center exhaust ports, just pull the wires and you can see it, should be something like ca8e-h, with those numbers and knowing if it was factory 4 or 2 bbl carb I can atleast tell you what they put models it came in.

 

Okay guys, Update on the project.

picked up a 76 F250 4x4 that has a 390, checked the stroke and its 3.78"
390 crank, heads are c8ah and the engine is a 2 barrel.
I broke the dipstick off removing the engine, can I replace without puling the oilpan?
Thanks





Scott

 

I believe the dip stick just slides into the side of the pan.

 

thanks, I will see what I can find out